Card sharp

A card sharp (also card shark, sometimes hyphenated or spelled as a single word) is a person who uses skill and/or deception to win at <a href="/facts/Card_game/KznKpTyD">card games</a> (such as <a href="/facts/Poker/bYSg9eCS">poker</a>). "Sharp" and "shark" spellings have varied over time and by region.
The label is not always intended as pejorative, and is sometimes used to refer to practitioners of <a href="/facts/Card_manipulation/MSN5EYUS">card tricks</a> for entertainment purposes. In general usage, principally in <a href="/facts/American_English/sdAfgPgM">American English</a> and more commonly with the "shark" spelling, the term has also taken on the meaning of an expert card gambler who takes advantage of less-skilled players, also called an "<a href="/facts/Advantage_player/wPwDPQ5M">advantage player</a>", without any implication of actual <a href="/facts/Cheating_in_poker/MnvfVvPj"> cheating at cards</a>, in much the same way that "<a href="/facts/Glossary_of_cue_sports_terms/eUrAoVcD">pool shark</a>" or <a href="/facts/Hustling/vSbgI7Rr">"pool hustler"</a> can (especially when used by non-players) be intended to refer to a skilled player rather than a cheater or swindler. The synonym to "card sharp", "blackleg", when used with reference to card-playing and swindlers, has pejorative connotations.
A card sharp or shark (by either of the gambling-related definitions) may be a "<a href="/facts/Glossary_of_poker_terms/e4Md3t5y">rounder</a>" who travels, seeking out high-stakes games in which to gamble.

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Card sharp